JOHN MUGWIMI CHIGITI
| NAME | JOHN MUGWIMI CHIGITI |
| AGE | N/A |
| GENDER | MALE |
| OCCUPATION | LAWYER |
John Mugwimi Chigiti is a distinguished Kenyan jurist currently serving as a Judge of the High Court of Kenya.
He was appointed to this position on December 6, 2022, and has served at the Milimani High Court.
Chigiti holds the prestigious title of Senior Counsel (SC), a recognition of his exemplary contribution to the legal profession.
Mugwimi is a renowned expert and trainer in Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and has worked extensively with organizations like Kituo Cha Sheria to enhance access to justice for marginalized groups.
The lawyer has been a vocal advocate for the rights of intersex persons, highlighting the legal challenges to their documentation and identification in Kenya, and is highly passionate about Trial Advocacy, having previously been recognized as the Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year by the Law Society of Kenya.
Early Life and Educational Background
He earned his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of Nairobi (UoN), a prerequisite for judicial appointment in Kenya.
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To qualify for admission to the Kenyan bar, the advocate also obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
He was officially admitted to the Bar as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya in 1997.
John Mugwimi Chigiti Career Background
Judicial Career,2022-Present
He was appointed by President William Ruto and sworn in on December 6, 2022, to serve as a judge at the High Court and currently serves in the Judicial Review Division at the Milimani High Court, Nairobi.
The law practitioner presides over cases involving the legality of actions taken by public bodies and media freedom issues.
Private Practice and Senior Counsel,1997-2022
The senior counsel practised law for 25 years before joining the bench, specialising in Trial Advocacy and Human Rights, and was conferred the rank of Senior Counsel for his exceptional contributions to the legal profession.
Leadership and Academic Roles
In mentorship, the advocate has authored “The Diary: Mentorship for Young Lawyers”, a guide for professional development in the legal field.
Mugwimi works as a lecturer at the Kenya School of Law.
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He is a former board member and current General Assembly member of Kituo Cha Sheria as well as a former council member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), where he chaired the Young Lawyers Committee and served as a legal advisor to the Nairobi County Youth Board.
Journalism and Authorship
Chigiti authored weekly family law articles for The Star Newspaper between 2006 and 2016 and published works on Intersex Persons and the Law in Kenya and sexual orientation under international human rights law.
His Achievements
With his high court appointment and his conferment as senior counsel, John has achieved significant milestones in his career.
- Served as the founding chairperson of the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) Tribunal, where he cleared a massive case backlog and led the formulation of its draft regulations.
- Recipient of State Awards (Insignia) for his role in recovering grabbed Judiciary land in Kisumu and protecting the public from losing hundreds of millions in litigation against courts of law.
- He is a pioneer in intersex rights litigation in Kenya, notably handling the landmark “Baby A” case, paving the way for the legal recognition of intersex persons.
- Recognized as the Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year by the Law Society of Kenya for his extensive work representing the poor and marginalized.
- Handled over 40 landmark pro bono cases, including securing the right to vote for inmates and challenging unlawful media censorship.
- The senior counsel is known for his diverse talents; he showcases the Saxophone and displays an extensive antique collection during Judiciary Sports and Talent Days.
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